What tripod for my DSLR?

Hi photographers, looking for my first tripod for my Canon 600d, been on a photography course for beginners like me and it became clear I need one! What would you recommend I look for, with a quick release system, I think...!?
Thanks
Scott.

The cheapest tripod worth owning is probably the Manfrotto 055 as already said. Do yourself a favour and don't use the centre column extended though, it's like balancing a monopod on a tripod - pointless.

For heads, I'd recommend the Giottos MH1300-652 Series II Ball Head. ball heads are the most versatile of heads, and this Giottos is probably the cheapest decent head.

I have a 488 head. May be discontinued but something similar will have replaced it

The Thom Hogen article is wrong to suggest that A set up like mine isn't stable enough. Unless your using long lenses, with no lens collar, in portrait orientation. A better ball head would be nicer to adjust though...

A good head is equally important and if that doesn't hold the camera/lens steady you will have wasted your money on the tripod

Redsnapper seem to get praise, never used one so can't comment, did have an older Manfrotto 055, fairly heavy, but well built.

If you intend to carry it a fair bit weight and size when closed comes into the equation.

Personally think it's a vital piece of equipment and worth spending out what you would on a decent lens.

Have a look on google for Feisol, get good reviews from those who buy them and customer service seems reliable too. Various different Q/R systems, but the most widely used is Arca Swiss and from experience the best too

Another Gitzo user here, with Markins ball head. Basically, I was on a workshop and saw what the other folks had and got the same, after I looked at my own setup shaking in the wind and the lens sinking under its own weight. Not cheap, mind

Gitzo are the tripods to have - I use a Markins ball head on mine. It sits in the corner of a room somewhere and never ever gets used. The big advantage is that it'll do great on eBay whereas your Manfrotto/Bogens will drop value like a brick.

I'm curious as to what you were told you needed a tripod for. 95% of the time you can find something to rest the camera on - that massive backpack you lug everywhere, a wall, tree, your bike etc etc.
The other 5% of the time, you are taking one of those awful cliche long exposure shots and you should that avoid anyway
What do you plan to use it for?

Gitzo are the tripods to have - I use a Markins ball head on mine. It sits in the corner of a room somewhere and never ever gets used.

I also have a Gitzo and Markins head, they get used a good 75% of the time and not for the nasty creamy wat er shots either.

Prefer to use a tripod whenever I can (admittedly not always possible) apart from giving nice sharp images I find it helps me go about photography at a more leisurely and careful pace.

Actually have two tripod and head combos, a lightweight one for longer treks/travelling and a larger heavier one for shorter walks or windier days. Couple these with a decent remote shutter release and you won't go far wrong

I have to disagree with ricd. If you want the best images quality you want the camera to be rock steady.

True you can rest the camera on all manner of items but as TT says, a tripod forces you to consider your shot and take your time. Of course they aren't always practical and you often can't use them in various locations.

Get one where the centre column comes out and can be placed at an angle.

They are sold as being for macro work but it's mindbogglingly useful - I'm sooo glad I went for one! Cullman Magnesit 528Q in my case. Last thing I did with it was quickly take photos of tons of baby clothes for ebay. I had the camera pointing at the floor well clear of the feet so I could just lay the clothes out, see the shot on the swivel LCD live-view on my camera and press the remote shutter button. Made the job way quicker.

I am curious as to why you think you need one though. Mine's never left the house...

I wanted a tripod for playing about with macro - I'm quite obsessed at the moment with tree bark, and love photographing flowers.

I had gone for the leaning on fenceposts/against things but the quality is just not as good as I hoped and having a tripod, as many have said, will force me to think about my shots more. As I'm just starting out in photography (off auto mode) this is important for me.

And the swivel LCD screen on my camera is great, I thought this was a gimmick but it's not, also allows me to cover the screen when not in use to protect it.

I wanted a tripod for playing about with macro - I'm quite obsessed at the moment with tree bark, and love photographing flowers.

That's a pretty good use for one, but definitely absolutely hands down get one with a moveable centre column. No question.

I'm not sure if you can get Cullmann in the UK but the other options are the Benbo trekker (there's also a mini trekker) and the Manfrotto 190XPROB. Whatever the make, it's the concept that's brilliant.

The legs splay all the way out so you can put the camera right down to the ground for flowers and insects etc but at the other end of the scale, on mine at least, you can extend the legs all the way up and get a full height tripod without using the centre column at all. It even comes with a little stubby one so you can leave the long one at home.